Lionel Messi showcased his remarkable scoring prowess once again on Saturday, finding the back of the net twice for the fifth consecutive match, leading Inter Miami to a thrilling 2-1 triumph against Nashville.
In a remarkable display of skill and consistency, Messi has once again found the back of the net, marking his status as the first player to net multiple goals in four consecutive MLS matches. This latest achievement comes as Miami surges up the Eastern Conference standings following their break for the Club World Cup.
In a thrilling display of skill, Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, struck first in the 17th minute with a signature left-footed free-kick. The shot expertly navigated through the narrowest of openings in Nashville’s defensive wall, leaving keeper Joe Willis with no chance.
Miami showcased its prowess in the first half, but just four minutes into the second half, Hany Mukhtar’s header brought Nashville back into contention.
In a thrilling moment, Messi found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, taking full advantage of a costly error from Willis, who miscalculated a pass and set up the Argentine perfectly for the decisive shot.
In a stunning display of skill, the player netted two goals, following up on his impressive performance where he scored twice in a 2-1 victory against New England on Wednesday. This brings his season total to an astonishing 16 goals in just 16 appearances, matching Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who couldn’t find the back of the net on Saturday to increase his tally of 16.
Words are few and far between. “It’s astonishing what he continues to achieve, shattering records at an astonishing pace, not just on weekends but seemingly every three days,” remarked Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“He stands as the leader of our squad, guiding us on how to compete effectively.” He stands at the forefront.
“Being part of this pivotal moment in his career is truly a privilege.”
Miami took to the pitch for their third match since resuming MLS play following a month-long stint in the Club World Cup, where their journey came to an end in the Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, the team has amassed 38 points from 19 matches. They trail the leaders, Philadelphia, by five points but have three games in hand to make a significant impact on the standings.
In a commanding performance, Philadelphia surged to the top of the standings with a decisive 2-0 win against New York Red Bulls, thanks to goals from Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani.
Cincinnati has dropped to second place in the East, now sitting on 42 points following a 4-2 defeat to Columbus. Nashville and Columbus are locked in a tight battle, each boasting 41 points in the standings.
Miami faces a gruelling challenge on Wednesday as they take on Cincinnati, followed by a showdown with the New York Red Bulls next weekend.
Mascherano is acutely aware that he must carve out moments to provide the 38-year-old Messi with some much-needed rest.
“At some point, we need to carve out some time for him to rest. We’ll discuss it on a daily basis,” he stated.
“He’s in great shape right now, and when we determine it’s the right moment for a break, we’ll make that call.”
